PANAJI
On the occasion of the First Death Anniversary of former Sports Minister of Goa, Francisco Monte Cruz, the Government of Goa, under the leadership of Dr. Pramod Sawant, has taken the initiative of implementing the long-standing resolution moved by Minister Digambar Kamat in the Assembly of naming a stand at the Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, Fatorda, after the late former Minister.
Monte Cruz is credited with having built Goa's only international stadium at Fatorda which has now hosted multiple National and International tournaments, which includes the FIFA U17 World Cups for both boys and girls.
The PJN Stadium was inaugurated on January 19, 1989, in time to host the Nehru Cup, an international football tournament.
Kamat, recently-appointed as PWD Minister, met Vijay Monte Cruz and Hema Fernandes, the son and daughter of the late Monte Cruz respectively at his residence on Wednesday and discussed plans to name a stand after the former Sports Minister.
The meeting was also attended by the GFA President Dr. Caitano Fernandes, former Minister Avertano Furtado, Padma Shri Brahmanand Shankwalkar, GFA Executive Committee members, former players and football promoters.
"I have spoken with the Honorable Chief Minster of Goa and within the next two months, we will duly recognise the outstanding contribution of late Monte Cruz in building the Fatorda Stadium. We will announce the plan within the next two weeks," said newly appointed Minister and Margao MLA Digambar Kamat.
